Connector for armored electrical cable

ABSTRACT

A connector for an armored cable including a connector body having an opening extending therethrough and a gland nut telescopically engageable with the connector body. The gland nut has an aperture for receiving the armored cable. The connector further includes a sealing ring positionable within the gland nut and has an inner annular surface engageable with the armored cable for sealing about same on an opposed outer annular surface. The sealing ring includes an annular groove formed about an outer surface thereof, and the groove permits the sealing ring to diametrically contract upon linear compression of the sealing ring. In addition, an isolating device is provided that is positionable about the sealing ring for frictionally isolating the sealing ring from the gland nut and permitting the gland nut to rotate substantially independently of the sealing ring.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a connector for electrical cables and,more particularly, to a connector for attaching armored electricalcables to enclosures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Armored electrical cables may be used in a wide variety of applications.They are particularly suited for environments in which it is essentialfor the wiring to be isolated from the surrounding environment. Theconventional construction of such cable permits it to be used inenvironments which are referred to as hazardous locations. Suchlocations had traditionally been serviced with rigid metal conduit. Inrecent years, however, when permitted by applicable electrical code,armored cable may be used in place of rigid conduit. Rigid conduit istypically more difficult and more expensive to install than armoredcable, therefore, it is desirable to use such cable when permitted.

Armored cable typically includes an electrically conductive flexiblemetal casing which protects the conductors running within from abrasion,impacts and the like. In addition, the metal casing permits the cable tobe grounded throughout its length. An outer plastic or rubber sheathtypically covers the metal casing thereby adding water proof protectionto the cable as well as protecting the metal sheathing from corrosiveelements.

When armored cables are connected to, or terminated in, metalenclosures, special connectors are typically employed. As is usuallyrequired by the applicable electrical code, such connectors provideelectrical grounding continuity between the flexible metal casing andthe enclosures. In addition, such connectors provide adequate physicalretention of the cable and sealing moisture and dust from the enclosure.

Existing armored cable connectors are typically bulky in size. Suchconnectors often have numerous parts making the connector expensive tomanufacture and time consuming to install. In addition, cable connectorstypically can only accommodate a limited range of cable sizes. Thisrequires a manufacturer to produce a wide variety of connectors in orderto have a suitable connector available to accommodate the wide range ofcommercially available armored cables. Additionally, prior art armoredcable connectors typically have two portions, a connector body and glandnut, which are threadedly engaged. As the two portions are threadedtogether, the armored cable has a tendency to twist.

Prior art armored cable connectors typically employ an elastomericO-ring in order to provide the necessary sealing between the outerdiameter of the cable and the connector. Such a design contributes tothe two significant problems set forth above. The O-rings typically havean inside diameter substantially similar to the outside diameter of thecable and an outside diameter similar to the inside diameter of theconnector piece in which it is disposed. When the connector body andgland nut are threaded together, the O-ring is deformed into forcedsealing engagement with the cable. However, since an O-ring may only beslightly diametrically contracted without being damaged, only a narrowrange of cable size may be accommodated by a particular connector.Additionally, as the gland nut portion of the connector is rotated ontothe body portion of the connector and the O-ring begins to engage thecable, a torque is applied to the cable causing it to rotate. Thisrotation of the cable may result in its being damaged especially itsouter sheathing.

Accordingly, there is a need for an armored cable connector which iscapable of accommodating a wide range of cable sizes and which does notrotate the cable upon securing the connector components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a connector forsecuring armored cable.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a connectorhaving a body portion, gland nut and a sealing ring for sealing about anarmored cable.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aconnector having a friction isolation device surrounding the sealingring for preventing the transmission of torque from the gland nut to thecable when the gland nut is treaded onto the body.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a connectorhaving a sealing ring with a U-shaped groove annularly extending aboutan outer surface of the sealing ring.

In the efficient attainment of these and other object, the presentinvention provides a connector for an armored cable including aconnector body having a generally longitudinal opening extendingtherethrough and having a first end, a gland nut telescopicallyengageable with the first end of the connector body, the gland nuthaving a first end, the gland nut first end having an aperture forreceiving the armored cable. The connector further includes a sealingring positionable within the gland nut and having an inner annularsurface engagable with the armored cable for seating about same on anopposed outer annular surface. The sealing ring has an annular grooveformed about an outer surface thereof, and the groove permits thesealing ring to diametrically contract upon linear compression of thesealing ring. In addition an isolating device is provided that ispositionable about the sealing ring for frictionally isolating thesealing ring from the gland nut and permitting the gland nut to rotatesubstantially independently ofthe sealing ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the able connector of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1 showing theconnector in the unsecured position.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of FIG. 1 showing theconnector in the secured position.

FIG. 4a is a cross-sectional view showing the sealing ring of thepresent invention in an uncompressed state.

FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view showing the sealing ring of FIG. 4a ina compressed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, armored cable connector 10 of the presentinvention is shown. Connector 10 includes, a connector body 20, glandnut 40, electrically conductive spring 60, beveled washer 70, sealingring 80 and sealing ring isolation assembly 90. Connector 10 is used tosecure an armored cable 100 to an enclosure or other structure 110 andis capable of preventing moisture and other contaminants from enteringenclosure 110, as will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, armored cable 100 is of the type commerciallyavailable and includes electrical conductors 108 encased in an internalpolymer sheath 106 all of which is covered by a flexible armor casing104. In addition, armor casing 104 may be covered by a plastic or rubbersheath 102 which prevents contaminants such as dirt or moisture fromentering the cable and protects the armor casing 104 from corrosion. Theconstruction of cable 100 allows it to be used in damp environments andwhere corrosive gases and elements are present. Such cables areavailable in a variety of sizes having various numbers and sizes ofconductors in order to accommodate a variety of circuit requirements.Connector 10 may also be manufactured in a variety of sizes in order toaccommodate the range of cable sizes. Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2,the connector body 20 is of a generally unitary construction and is madeof an electrically conductive material preferably aluminum or zincplated steel. Body 20 is a generally annular body having an inner bore30 extending longitudinally through the center of body 20. A front end22 includes a substantially planar front surface 24. External threads 26are formed about the body adjacent front end 22. Body 20 furtherincludes a back end 28 which includes external threads 29 formed tocooperate with threads 112 formed on enclosure 110 thereby securingconnector 10 to a structure 110 in a moisture and dust tight manner.When body 20 is attached to sheet metal enclosure, a locknut (not shown)can be used to secure the connector. Such structures 110 may includejunction boxes, panel boards, motor control enclosures, electricaldistribution equipment, and the like.

External threads 26 are formed to cooperate with and secure gland nut 40to body 20. Gland nut 40 is preferably an annular hollow housing havinga side wall 44 extending upwardly from a back wall 46. The inner surfaceof gland nut side wall 44 includes threads 48 formed adjacent gland nutfront end 50. Gland nut threads 48 cooperate with external threads 26formed on connector body 20 thereby allowing gland nut 40 to be securingto the connector body. In addition, gland nut back wall 46 includes anaperture 52 formed therethrough to allow the passage of armored cable100 into connector 10.

In a preferred embodiment, body 20 and gland nut 40 are formed fromgenerally hexagonal or octagonal stock. Parts are preferably machined ina manner well known to those skilled in the art. Forming of threads 26and 29, 48, and the desired openings can be done while leaving portionsof the hexagonal or octagonal stock intact lower as locations where theconnector may be engaged for tightening the connector into the enclosureand/or tightening gland nut 40 onto body 20.

Referring additionally to FIG. 4a, connector 10 further includes anannular sealing ring 80 formed of a deformable elastomeric material suchas neoprene or other rubber-like elastomeric material. Sealing ring 80is sized to fit within gland nut 40 and may be positioned adjacent backwall 46. Sealing ring 80 includes a side wall 86 extending between twoplanar end walls 88. Sealing ring 80 preferably includes, a U-shapedannular groove 82 extending about the outer surface of side wall 86, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 4a. Sealing ring 80 has an inner diameter surface84 which is substantially uniform in an uncompressed state and is sizedto allow the passage of armored cable 100. Groove 82 permits the sealingring's inner diameter to be radially contracted a significant amountwhen sealing ring 80 is axially compressed as shown in FIG. 4b. Uponsuch axial compression, inner diameter surface 84 deflects radiallyinward and is brought into physical sealing engagement with armoredcable 100 thereby providing a moisture and dust tight seal between cable100 and connector 10. Sealing ring 80 is shown in its relaxeduncompressed state in FIG. 4a.

In order to permit for sufficient contraction of the inner diameter ofsealing ring 80, groove 82 preferably has a depth, d, at least ½ thewall thickness, t, when in the uncompressed state. With such a depth,the side wall thickness at the bottom 83 of groove 82 is thin enough topermit a wide range of radial deflection. By permitting such a range ofradial deflection, connector 10 is capable of accommodating a relativelywide range of cable sizes as described below.

A beveled washer a ring 70 may be placed within gland nut 40 adjacentsealing ring 80, as shown in FIG. 2. Beveled washer 70 preferably has anoutside diameter equal to or less than the outside diameter of sealingring 80. Beveled washer 70 has a generally inward beveled surface 72 onone side and a generally planar surface 74 forming the opposing sidesurface. Beveled washer 70 is preferably positioned within gland nut 40such that planar surface 74 is adjacent sealing ring 80. Planar surface74 may be brought into formed engagement with sealing ring 80 resultingin the axial compression of sealing ring 80 in a manner which will bedescribed in detail below.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, beveled surface 72 forms a seat for spring60. Spring 60 is preferably a coil spring which is deformable to form agenerally circular structure. Spring 60 is preferably formed of anelectrically conductive material and has an operative position such thatit is in electrical contact with the armored casing 104 of armored cable100 and with gland nut 40, as shown in FIG. 3. Spring 60 provideselectrical continuity for grounding the armored cable through theconnector 10.

Referring to FIG. 3, gland nut 40 may be threaded onto connector body 20so that the length of the connector is telescopically reduced and thevarious components within gland nut 40 are compressed. Morespecifically, connector body planar surface 24 engages spring 66 whichis then driven into its beveled seat causing the spring's diameter toconstrict thereby bringing spring 60 into electrical and physicalcontact with cable armor 104. In addition, upon securement of gland nut40 onto body 20, beveled washer 70 is urged against sealing ring 80.This results in axial compression of sealing ring 80 which in turncauses the inside diameter of sealing ring 80 to diametrically contract.The inside diameter 84 is, therefore, brought into sealing engagementwith the armored cable sheath 102 thereby providing a moister tight anddust tight seal.

Since groove 82 allows for significant diametrical contraction ofsealing ring 80, a relatively wide range of cable sizes may be properlyaccommodated and sealed within a particular size connector. For example,a connector of the prior art may require 12 different sizes in order toaccommodate a range of cable outer diameters from 0.50 inches to 2.620.In contrast, a connector type formed in accordance with the presentinvention can properly accommodate such a cable range with only 7connector sizes. Therefore, a manufacturer needs only produce arelatively small number of connector sizes in order to accommodate thewide range of commercially available cable sizes. In addition, adistributor is not burdened with stocking a wide assortment ofconnectors. Accordingly, the ability of connector 10 to accommodated awide range of cable sizes results in considerable savings inmanufacturing and distribution.

Connector 10 further includes a friction isolation assembly 90. In priorart connectors when the gland nut is threaded onto the connector body,the gland nut tends to rotate the sealing ring placed within. As thesealing ring is brought into engagement with the cable, the torquegenerated by the turning of the gland nut is imparted to the cableresulting in cable twisting which is undesirable. The amount offrictional force between the sealing ring and the cable is especiallypronounced when the sealing ring is highly compressed. The presentinvention overcomes such problems by the inclusion of the frictionisolation assembly 90 which substantially isolates sealing ring 80 fromgland nut 40 thereby reducing any transmission of torque to the cable.

Isolation assembly 90 preferably includes a thin walled cylinder 92which is sized to receive sealing ring 80. Cylinder 92 has a lengthpreferably equal to or slightly larger than the axial length of sealingring 80 so that the entire side wall 86 of the sealing ring is covered,as shown in FIG. 2. Cylinder 92 also preferably has an inside diameterwhich is slightly larger than beveled washer 70. Therefore, beveledwasher 70 may extend within cylinder 92 to permit axial compression ofsealing ring 80, as described above.

Isolation assembly 90 also preferably includes a planar washer 94 whichis insertable within gland nut 40 such that it sits between gland nutend wall 46 and the adjacently disposed sealing ring end wall 88.Accordingly, washer 94 frictionally isolates sealing ring end wall 88from gland nut back wall 46.

Cylinder 92 and washer 94 are preferably formed of a smooth polymermaterial such as nylon. The isolation assembly 90 greatly reduces thefriction between gland nut 40 and sealing ring 80 by providing a lowfriction barrier surface which allows gland nut 40 to be rotatedsubstantially independently of sealing ring 80. Therefore, upon securinggland nut 40 to body 20, no significant amount of torque will beimparted to sealing ring 80 or cable 100 thereby eliminating cabletwisting.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the sealing ring side wall 86and end wall 88 may include friction reducing material molded therein.

The operation of connector 10 will now be described. In order to attachan armored cable 10 to an enclosure or other structure 110, connectorbody 20, with gland nut 40, spring 60, beveled ring washer 70, sealingring 80 and isolation assembly 90 all relatively loosely connectedthereto, is screwed into an opening in the enclosure using threads 29.Armored cable 100 is inserted through aperture 52 in gland nut 40 andthrough bore 30 in connector body 20. In a preferred embodiment shown inFIG. 3, inner bore 30 includes a large diameter portion 32 and a smalldiameter portion 34 connected by a beveled cable stop 36. Large diameterportion 32 extends from front end 22 to cable stop 36 and small diameterportion 34 extends from cable stop 36 to back end 28. The free end ofcable 100 inserted into connector 10 abuts cable stop 36. Preferably,the end of armor casing 104 will abut cable stop 36. It will beappreciated that the outer diameter of armor casing 104 will preferably,but not necessarily, be larger than the diameter of small diameterportion 34 of bore 30. The conductors 108 of cable 100 extend past cablestop 36, through small diameter portion 34 and exit connector 10 throughback end 28.

Once cable 100 is fully inserted, gland nut 40 may be tightened, therebycompressing spring 60, beveled washer 70 and sealing ring 80 to insurethe desired electrical connection and seal. Upon tightening of the glandnut 40, gland nut back wall 46 urges against one of the sealing ring endwalls 88. The front surface 24 of body 20 urges spring 60 and beveledwasher 70 into the other end of sealing ring 80 thereby axiallycompressing sealing ring 80 causing diametrical contraction thereof. Inaddition, the compression of spring 60 between connector body frontsurface 24 and beveled surface 72 of beveled washer 70 pushes spring 60against cable 100, which holds cable 100 tightly within connector 10thereby increasing cable pullout resistance.

As the sealing ring 80 is compressed, its side wall 86 and end wall 88is retained between cylinder 92 and washer 94 respectively. Due to theminimal friction between gland nut 40 and cylinder 92 and washer 94, nosignificant amount of torque will be transmitted to cable 100.Therefore, as sealing ring 80 grips cable 100, gland nut 40 will rotateindependently of cylinder 90 and sealing ring 80.

It will be appreciated that once connector 10 is in place in theenclosure and secured thereto, only gland nut 40 needs to be tightenedto provide the necessary compression to achieve the desired electricalconnection, dust and water seal and cable pullout resistance.

Whereas, particular embodiments of this invention have been describedfor purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in theart that numerous variations may be made without departing from theinvention as described in the claims.

We claim:
 1. A connector for an armored cable comprising: a connectorbody having a generally longitudinal opening extending therethrough andhaving a first end; a gland nut telescopically engageable with saidfirst end of said connector body, said gland nut having a first end,said gland nut first end having an aperture adapted to receive thearmored cable; a sealing ring positionable within said gland nut andhaving an inner annular surface engageable with the armored cable forsealing about an opposed outer annular surface of the armored cable,said sealing ring further including a side wall extending between twoopposed end walls; and a cylinder having an uniform diameter and alength equal to or greater than a length of said sealing ring, saidsealing ring being positioned within said cylinder such that said sidewall is covered by said cylinder, whereby said sealing ring side wall isisolated from said gland nut by said cylinder thereby permitting saidgland nut to rotate substantially independently of said sealing ring. 2.A connector as defined in claim 1, further including a washer positionedbetween said gland nut and one of said two end walls of said sealingring.
 3. A connector as defined in claim 2, wherein said cylinder andsaid washer are formed of a polymer material.
 4. A connector as setforth in claim 1, wherein said first end of said connector body hasthreads and said gland nut has an inner surface having a threadedportion, whereby said gland nut is threadedly engageable with said firstend of said connector body.
 5. A connector as defined in claim 4,wherein said connector body and said gland nut are formed of anelectrically conductive material.
 6. A connector as defined in claim 1,further including a generally circular, electrically conductive springpositioned within said gland nut, said spring having an operativeposition in which said spring contacts the armored cable and saidconnector body.
 7. A connector as defined in claim 6, a beveled washerhaving a first generally planar end and a second opposed end having aninwardly beveled surface, said beveled surface forming a seat forsupporting said spring; and when said gland nut is threaded onto saidbody first end engages said spring forcing it into said beveled seatthereby bringing said spring into mechanical and electrical contact withthe armored cable.
 8. A connector as defined in claim 1, wherein saidsealing ring has an annular groove formed about an outer surfacethereof, said groove permitting said sealing ring to diametricallycontract upon axial compression of said sealing ring.
 9. A connector foran armored cable comprising: a connector body having a generallylongitudinal opening extending therethrough having a first end; a glandnut telescopically engageable with said first end of said connectorbody, said gland nut including a first end having an aperture adapted toreceive the armored cable; a sealing ring positioned within said glandnut and having an annular side wall bounded by a first and secondopposed end walls, a portion of said side wall including a deformableportion, said deformable portion of said side wall including an annulargroove extending about a radially outer portion of said side wall, saidgroove being configured to permit said deformable portion to deflectsradially inward toward said armored cable upon compression of said firstand second end walls thereby being adapted to engage the armored cablefor sealing about the armored cable; and a means for axial compressingsaid sealing ring.
 10. A connector as defined in claim 9, wherein saidgroove is generally U-shaped.
 11. A connector as defined in claim 10,wherein said sealing ring in an uncompressed state includes asubstantially uniform inner diameter.
 12. A connector as defined inclaim 9, wherein said groove has a depth extending radially inward atleast ½ a thickness of said side wall.
 13. A connector as defined inclaim 9, wherein said means for axially compressing said sealing ringincludes an annular member disposed adjacent said sealing ring and beingengageable therewith, said annular member axially compressing saidsealing ring when said gland nut and said connector body aretelescopically engaged.
 14. A connector as defined in claim 13, whereinsaid gland nut further includes threads formed on an inner surfacethereof and said connector body includes threads formed on an outerportion thereof, said threads on said gland nut positioned to engage andcooperate with said threads on said connector body, such that uponthreaded engagement of said gland nut onto said connector body saidannular member engages and axially compresses said sealing ring.
 15. Aconnector as defined in claim 13, further including a generally circularconductive spring positioned within said gland nut contacts saidconnector body and the armored cable.
 16. A connector as defined inclaim 15, wherein said annular member includes a first and secondopposed sides, said first side having a generally inwardly beveledsurface forming a seat to support said spring, said second surface beinggenerally planar and positioned adjacent said sealing ring.
 17. Aconnector as defined in claim 15, further including a friction isolationassembly, said assembly including a cylinder positioned about an outerdiameter of said sealing ring thereby substantially isolating saidsealing ring outer diameter from said gland nut.
 18. A connector asdefined in claim 17, wherein said sealing ring first end wall isdisposed adjacent said gland nut first end and wherein said isolationassembly further includes a generally annular washer disposed withinsaid gland nut between said glad nut first end wall and said sealingring first end thereby isolating said sealing ring first end wall fromsaid gland nut.
 19. A cable connector comprising: a connector bodyhaving a generally longitudinal opening extending therethrough andhaving a first end; a gland nut telescopically engageable with saidfirst end of said connector body, said gland nut having a first end,said gland nut first end having an aperture for receiving the cable; asealing ring positionable within said gland nut and having an innerannular surface adapted to engage the cable for sealing about an outerannular surface of the cable, said sealing ring having an annular grooveformed about an outer surface thereof, said groove being configured topermit said sealing ring to diametrically contract upon axialcompression of said sealing ring; and at least one friction isolationsurface disposed between said gland nut and a portion of said sealingring for substantially frictionally isolating said sealing ring fromsaid gland nut to permit said gland nut to rotate substantiallyindependently of said sealing ring.
 20. A connector as defined in claim19, wherein said sealing ring includes an outer annular surface, said atleast one friction insolation surface is disposed between said sealingring outer annular surface and said gland nut.
 21. A connector asdefined in claim 19, wherein said sealing ring includes an end wall andsaid at least one friction insolation surface is disposed between saidsealing ring end wall and said gland nut.
 22. A cable connectorcomprising: a connector body having a generally longitudinal openingextending therethrough having a first end; a gland nut telescopicallyengageable with said first end of said connector body, said gland nuthaving a first end having an aperture adapted to receive the cable; anda sealing ring positioned within said gland nut and having an annularside wall bounded by a first and second opposed end walls, a portion ofsaid side wall including a deformable portion, said deformable portionof said side wall including an annular groove extending about a radiallyouter portion of said side wall, said groove being configured to permitsaid deformable portion deflects radially inward toward the cable uponaxial compression of said sealing ring resulting from telescopicengagement of said gland nut and said connector body, such that saiddeformable portion engages the cable for sealing about the cable.
 23. Aconnector as defined in claim 22, wherein said gland nut and saidconnector body are threadedly engageable and are axially translatabletoward each other upon said threaded advancement of said gland nut onsaid connector body, and wherein said threaded advancement of said glandnut on said connector body results in the axial compression of saidsealing ring.
 24. A connector as defined in claim 22, further includingan annular member disposed adjacent said sealing ring and engageabletherewith, said annular member urging said sealing ring into axialcompression upon telescopically engagement of said gland nut and saidconnector body.
 25. A connector as defined in claim 22, furtherincluding at least one friction insolation surface disposed between saidgland nut and a portion of said sealing ring for substantiallyfrictionally isolating said sealing ring from said gland nut.
 26. Aconnector as defined in claim 22, wherein said sealing ring groove has adepth extending radially inward at least ½ a thickness of said side wallin order to permit said deflectable portion to bulge toward said cable.27. A connector for an armored cable comprising: a connector body havinga generally longitudinal opening extending therethrough and having afirst end; a gland nut telescopically engageable with said first end ofsaid connector body, said gland nut having a first end, said gland nutfirst end having an aperture adapted to receive the armored cable; asealing ring positionable within said gland nut and having an innerannular surface engageable with the armored cable for sealing about thearmored cable on an opposed outer annular surface of the armored cable,said sealing ring including an annular groove formed about an outersurface thereof, said groove permitting said sealing ring todiametrically contract upon linear compression of said sealing ring; anannular member disposed between said connector body and said sealingring, said annular member being engageable with said sealing ring tobring said sealing ring into sealing engagement with the armored cable;and an isolating means positionable about said sealing ring forfrictionally isolating an outer annular surface of said sealing ringfrom said gland nut and permitting said gland nut to rotatesubstantially independently of said sealing ring.
 28. A connector forterminating an electrical cable having an outer insulative sheath, anarmor casing extending from said sheath and a plurality of conductorsextending therefrom, said connector comprising: a connector body havinga cable insertion end, a conductor egressing end and a centrallongitudinal bore therethrough for insertably accommodating said cable;a gland nut telescopically attachable to said cable insertion end ofsaid body; a spring ring supported by said body for surroundingengagement with said extending armor casing of said cable; a sealingring supported adjacent said gland nut for surrounding engagement withsaid insulative sheath of said cable; and a washer interposed betweensaid sealing ring and said spring ring having a forward surfaceengageable with said spring ring and an opposed rearward surfaceengageable with said sealing ring so as to urge said spring ring intoconductive engagement with said armor casing of said cable upon saidtelescopic engagement of said gland nut with said cable insertion end ofsaid body and to urge said sealing ring into seated engagement with saidinsulative sheath of said cable.
 29. A connector of claim 28 whereinsaid washer forward surface is beveled to urge said spring ring saidarmor casing.
 30. A connector of claim 29 wherein said beveled forwardsurface of said washer forms a seat for said spring ring.
 31. Aconnector of claim 30 wherein said washer rearward surface includes aflat surface for engagement with said sealing ring.
 32. A connector ofclaim 28 wherein said sealing ring has a generally annular configurationwith a first end adjacent said gland nut and a second end adjacent saidwasher.
 33. A connector of claim 32 wherein said washer has an outerdiameter which is substantially equal to or less than the outer diameterof said second end of said sealing ring.
 34. A connector of claim 28wherein said sealing ring includes an inner annular surface adapted forsealing engagement with said cable sheath, said sealing ring having anannular groove on an outer annular surface, said groove being configuredto permit it said sealing ring to diametrically contact into saidsealing engagement with said cable sheath upon said telescopicengagement of said gland nut with said body.
 35. A connector of claim 28further including a friction isolation surface positioned between saidgland nut and said sealing ring for substantially frictionally isolatingsaid sealing ring from said gland nut to permit gland nut rotation withrespect to said body.
 36. An armored cable connector comprising: aconnector body having a generally longitudinal opening extendingtherethrough and having a first end; a gland nut telescopicallyengageable with said first end of said connector body, said gland nuthaving a first end and an aperture adapted to receive said armoredcable; a sealing ring positionable within said gland nut and having aninner annular surface engageable with said armored cable; a generallycircular conductor spring positioned within said body, said springhaving an operative position in which said spring contacts said armorcable; and a washer interposed between said spring and said sealingring, wherein upon said telescopic engagement of said gland nut withsaid body said washer engages said spring so as to force it into saidengagement with said armored cable and substantially simultaneouslyurging said sealing ring into said engagement with said cable.
 37. Acable connector of claim 36 wherein said washer includes a forwardsurface engageable with said spring and a rearward surface engageablewith said sealing ring.
 38. A cable connector of claim 37 wherein saidwasher forward surface is beveled to form a seat for accommodating saidspring.
 39. A cable connector of claim 38 wherein said washer rearwardsurface is flat.